New Member - Mazda 5

[carpetcrawler]

Hello

Just picked up a 2014 Mazda 5 GS. So far I really like it - drives well and has a deceptive amount of space inside.

One question I have is on the winter tires I had put on. The stock tires are 205/55r16. I got a winter tire package through the dealer and I realized they put on 205/60r16.

I know that the tire has a bit larger diameter and so the speedometer will be off a few %. I am more concerned on wheel well clearance and snow buildup with the slightly bigger tire. A few people have told me it's not a big deal and that a slightly bigger tire will help in snow

Any experience with this?

Thanks

 

[chudzikb]

That is the correct way to go for snow, taller tire. Not that we will see any my way this year. From a 55 to a 60 is almost a rounding error, you will be fine.

And, welcome to the forum...

 

[FiftySix]

No experience with snow driving, but welcome to the forum.

 

[carpetcrawler]

Thanks everyone. Glad to be here. Been a Mazda owner for a while (had an rx-8 until this year).

 

[New5Owner]

You should be driving slower in the snow and thus hitting bumps less hard and thus compressing the suspension less, therefore clearance will not be a problem. At least that is the explanation I just made up with no supporting evidence.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Primergy]

One of my prev. cars was a lowered Subaru Legacy with 225 tires.
In certain snow conditions I ended up with problems from compacted snow in the wheel arches limiting suspension travel (wheel would hit compressed snow and push in/crack plastic lining in fender.
This problem was not apparent at stock height & stock width tires.

 

[carpetcrawler]

That was my concern- that packed snow in the wheel well would interfere with the suspension or the tires being able to dispense with snow from the tread. guess I'll just have to see how it goes (if we get any snow this winter)

 

[chudzikb]

Does anyone even have any snow this year? We are sitting at 55 degrees. Not conducive to a white Christmas, that is for sure. I have not even hauled up the winter tires, there is nothing in the forecast as far out as it goes.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Welcome!

 

[New5Owner]

I am more concerned on wheel well clearance and snow buildup with the slightly bigger tire.

Assuming you are in some part of the majority of the province that has gotten snow over the past week, how are you finding it?

My 5 has my first ever set of winter tires and I feel like a rally car driver, but my tires are the stock size.

 

[carpetcrawler]

Assuming you are in some part of the majority of the provinces that has gotten snow over the past week, how are you finding it?

My 5 has my first ever set of winter tires and I feel like a rally car driver, but my tires are the stock size.

So far so good. I have Pirelli ice zero FRs and they seem to work well. Clearance hasn't been an issue yet. It handles well - certainly better than my Rx-8 did in deep snow

I do find that it is a noisy ride when you kick up slush etc- not much insulation from the wheel wells